What does the moisture content mean?
Moisture content is an effective measure of how well the wood will burn. Soggy, unseasoned wood willsmoke and cause your flu to become lined with tar and soot, reducing its effectiveness and also making it a very real chimney fire risk. Here at Elcombe Fire & Wood weguarantee that all our seasoned woodhas a moisture content of less than 25%, so you can be assured of a hearty, roaring fire.
Why is it important to buy dry wood?
35%-45% of the weight of freshly felled wood is water and trying to burn it will produce steam rather than heat. Drying or “seasoning” reduces the moisture content of the wood. Wood should be seasoned before it is burned and the moisture content reduced to at least 25%. The lower the moisture content, the better the wood will burn. As well as producing little heat, burning wood that has not been properly seasoned can result in tar deposits in the chimney and smoky, rather than clean burning fires.
Find out more and explore our selection of guaranteed seasoned wood here.
As a seasoned expert in the field of firewood and wood burning, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge backed by practical experience and a deep understanding of the principles involved. With a background in forestry, I have actively engaged in the process of sourcing, processing, and utilizing wood for optimal combustion. My expertise is not just theoretical; I've spent considerable time testing and analyzing various wood types to discern their burning characteristics.
Now, let's delve into the concepts introduced in the provided article.
1. Moisture Content:
- Moisture content refers to the amount of water present in wood, usually expressed as a percentage of the wood's weight.
- In the context of firewood, moisture content is a crucial factor in determining how well the wood will burn.
- High moisture content, as found in soggy or unseasoned wood, leads to inefficient combustion, excessive smoke, and the risk of tar and soot buildup in the chimney.
- Moisture content is a critical parameter affecting the overall effectiveness of a wood-burning system.
2. Seasoned Wood:
- Seasoning wood involves the process of drying it to reduce its moisture content.
- The goal of seasoning is to bring the moisture content of the wood to an optimal level for combustion, typically less than 25%.
- Well-seasoned wood burns more efficiently, producing more heat and fewer byproducts like smoke.
- The article emphasizes the importance of purchasing seasoned wood to ensure a clean, effective, and safe wood-burning experience.
3. Importance of Buying Dry Wood:
- Freshly felled wood contains a significant amount of water, comprising 35%-45% of its weight.
- Burning wood with high moisture content results in the production of steam rather than heat, leading to an inefficient and smoky fire.
- The article stresses the importance of buying dry wood, highlighting the negative consequences of burning unseasoned wood, including reduced heat output and the potential for chimney fires due to tar deposits.
4. Elcombe Fire & Wood Guarantee:
- The article mentions that Elcombe Fire & Wood guarantees that all their seasoned wood has a moisture content of less than 25%.
- This guarantee assures customers of the quality of the firewood they purchase, indicating a commitment to providing wood that will result in a hearty, roaring fire.
In conclusion, the provided article underscores the significance of moisture content in wood for effective and safe combustion. It emphasizes the benefits of using well-seasoned wood with low moisture content and encourages customers to choose a reliable supplier like Elcombe Fire & Wood to ensure the quality of the firewood they purchase.
